Though much work remains, in particular ending the Council’s disproportionate focus on Israel, U.S. engagement thus far has resulted in significant improvements to the Human Rights Council as a multilateral forum for promoting and protecting human rights. Accomplishments include groundbreaking resolutions on freedom of expression, freedom of assembly, preventing discrimination against women, LGBT human rights, religious tolerance, and the creation of monitoring mechanisms for Cote d’Ivoire, Libya, Iran, and Syria. Key accomplishments at this session include:

Explanation of Vote by the United States 18th Session of the UN Human Rights Council On Resolution 18/117: “Reporting by the UN Secretary General on the question of death penalty” September 28, 2011 The United States is pleased to join consensus on this resolution. International law does not prohibit capital punishment when imposed in accordance […]

The United States is profoundly committed to combating racism and eliminating racial discrimination in all forms and all places. Through our own experience, and in learning from the example of Mandela, we know that tolerance and reconciliation are important tools in that effort.

Our concerns about the 2001 Durban Declaration and Programme of Action (DDPA) are well-known, including its unfair and unacceptable singling out of Israel and its endorsement of overbroad restrictions on freedom of expression that run counter to the U.S. commitment to robust free speech. But we will always stand ready to work with others in the effort to combat racism, bigotry, and racial discrimination.

We are concerned that the Special Rapporteur recommends that States prohibit advocacy of national, racial, or religious hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility, or violence; dissemination of ideas based on racial superiority or hatred; and incitement to racial discrimination. He also invokes the limitations in Articles 19-22 of the ICCPR, apparently to suggest that States should control the Internet or other new technologies to prevent extremists from spreading material that is deemed racist.

As we have witnessed the dramatic events unfolding in parts of North Africa and the Middle East, we again call upon governments to promote and protect human rights in the context of peaceful protests – thus honoring obligations that are clearly reaffirmed as universal in the VDPA. We are deeply troubled by the continued use of violence by some governments to quash universal rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly.

We remain deeply troubled by ongoing reports of human rights abuses, including: arbitrary arrests and detention of journalists; restrictions on freedom of assembly; and ongoing violence with impunity in Darfur. We are also troubled by the restrictions on humanitarian access and assistance in Southern Kordofan and the Blue Nile.

The U.S. congratulates the Hungarian delegation on the adoption of its UPR report. We welcome Hungary’s agreement to support many of the recommendations presented during the UPR Working Group session in July

Ambassador Eileen Chamberlain Donahoe met with Libya’s Interim Minister of Justice and Human Rights, Mohammed al-Allagi in Geneva September 21 on the sidelines of the 18th Session of the Human Rights Council.